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temperamental

adjective

ˌtem-p(ə-)rə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce temperamental (audio)
Definition of temperamentalnext
1
as in moody
frequently influenced by moods and especially bad moods one of those temperamental actresses who can make life difficult for everyone around her

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly stock prices have been pretty temperamental lately, often fluctuating wildly

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of temperamental As the lead singer of Connect 3, Shane can be temperamental and arrogant. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 Ormund, the snooty, temperamental head of House Hightower, is shown charred beyond recognition in the episode's final moments. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 The temperamental Moon in your 11th House of Friends squares passionate Mars in your 8th House of Intimacy and Shared Resources, stirring tension around trust, contribution, and control. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026 The guest rooms felt dated, the vintage plumbing was temperamental, and the noisy window air-conditioning units distracted from the historic charm. — Jill Robbins, Southern Living, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for temperamental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temperamental
  1. moody
  2. volatile
  3. impulsive
  4. unpredictable
  5. unstable
Adjective
  • The moody Moon stirs your 10th House of Career, while quirky Uranus activates your 4th House of Home, asking for balance between visibility and rest.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2026
  • While Drastic was moody and cave-like, natural lighting spilled into Wild Child thanks to plenty of windows and set a tone distinctive from its sibling.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of moody
Adjective
  • Our supplies out of reserves are dwindling, so their flow rates are lower, and the Middle East is still as volatile and now just became significantly more dangerous.
    — , CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
  • In a volatile market, pricing must be responsive to changing conditions.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of volatile
Adjective
  • The Moon conjoins impulsive Mars, bringing more emotion into decisions about money, possessions, and personal priorities.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Nevertheless, relations with parents, bosses and authority figures might be challenging today because of impulsive or compulsive actions on the part of someone.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of impulsive
Adjective
  • Later, an opposition to unpredictable Uranus reminds us to balance bold leaps with steady signals, so plans, messages, and travel stay flexible, safe, and kind.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2026
  • There were real concerns like unpredictable latency and audit trails that legal would never approve.
    — Rafael Flores, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of unpredictable
Adjective
  • Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who accompanied the national police chief in serving the warrant to Romualdez, said he was admitted to a Manila hospital Monday afternoon due to unstable blood pressure and anxiety attack.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
  • As Anna covers for Fyodor’s addiction and increasingly unstable professional behavior, her devotion starts to look poisonous for them both.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of unstable

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temperament
temperamental
temperaments
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Cite this Entry

“Temperamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temperamental. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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